For the second time in less than an hour, Gabriel found himself holding Adrien as he cried, gently rubbing his back with one hand. And found himself wishing- perhaps somewhat unfairly- that this was his own son, not an alternate. How many times had he wanted to do something just like this for his own Adrien, but been forced to keep him at arms length for his own safety? Or just not been there at all when he should have been, due to leading a secret double life, with essentially two careers to maintain, one of them incredibly secretive. Even knowing it was all for the greater good didn't make it any easier. Or less lonely.

But even then he couldn't and didn't regret his choice to take up the mantle of Betterfly. A better world was possible. The kind of world his son- and his alternate- deserved. And that kind of world was worth fighting for.

For the moment though, he could afford to be the tiniest bit selfish and spend time comforting the alternate version of his son. He could do that much at least.